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Tuesday, March 20, 2007

Senator Wyden’s talks lead to multi-year county payments deal

Standing with Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), Senator Ron Wyden today announced a fix to the "county payments" problem.  Working with Senators Max Baucus (D-MT) and Jeff Bingaman (D-NM), the Senators announced a $5 billion plan to continue the payments through 2012.  The fix will be included in the supplemental budget bill now working its way through the legislative process.

Last year, Oregon's counties received $149 million - and without this deal, there would be a substantial budget impact to schools, public safety, libraries, and more.

At the announcement, Senator Reid said:

"I applaud Senator Wyden's persistence in fighting for Oregon's rural communities.  This Democratic package represents a renewed Federal commitment to the people of Oregon, the rural West and the nation.  Though we still have a ways to go to get this into law, I am hopeful that our proposal, including a significant and long-term increase in funding for Payments in Lieu of Taxes, will make a very positive impact on rural America."

And Senator Wyden said:

"With Senator Reid’s leadership we have crafted a lifeboat to keep rural communities afloat.  This proposal will mean more than $1 billion for Oregon schools, public safety, roads, and other essential county services.  It couldn’t come at a more critical time."

Learn more about the county payments issue.